SPRINGFIELD – On October 22, Western New England University School of Law hosted the Massachusetts Bar Association’s (MBA) monthly Dial-A-Lawyer call-in program. Residents with legal concerns and questions are encouraged to call for free legal advice. Volunteer lawyers from the MBA answered dozens of phone calls between 4 and 7 p.m.
“This is a great service for anyone who has a legal concern, but they don’t know where to start,” explained Michael Vigneux, media and communication manager with the MBA. “It’s completely confidential, the attorney doesn’t know the identity of the caller and the caller does know who the attorney is. That gives people a sense of comfort, especially when asking questions about criminal matters.” Vigneux added.
Since March 1991, the MBA has sponsored the monthly Dial-A-Lawyer program. Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the program is hosted at Western New England University School of Law in Springfield and also sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Bar Association. This program was created to assist people who have fallen through the cracks of the legal and criminal justice system.
Attorney Stephanie Fitzgerald, with Fitzgerald Attorneys at Law in East Longmeadow, was among the volunteers.
“We get a substantial number of domestic relations questions, some questions about past criminal records and how to expunge them, and then some landlord issues and real estate questions. We often can’t solve the caller’s problem over the phone, but we can guide them to the right resources where they can get the answers or services they need,” he said.
To learn when the monthly program will be held, visit the MBA event calendar. To use Dial-A-Lawyer when held in Boston call 617-338-0610. To use Dial-A-Lawyer when held in Springfield call 413-782-1659.
If you are an attorney who would like to volunteer for Dial-A-Lawyer, contact the MBA’s Boston Office at (617) 338-0556 or the Springfield Office at 413-731-5134.
